From the Principal
There is so much that I love about the start of a new year at our College.
The anticipation of welcoming new students and their families, meeting new colleagues, seeing the completion of projects and work completed over the break and the fresh opportunities that come with new beginnings, all create a buzz around the College sites. It is like starting out on a new adventure.
There is a great deal of planning and preparation to have everything in readiness to start the new school year. I am thankful to the professional support staff, teaching staff and the campus leaders for their diligence and commitment to ensuring a smooth start.
Transformative Repair
As part of the commencement of the year, all of the College staff participated in a presentation to launch and share work that has been undertaken by some of our teaching staff in partnership with Independent Schools Victoria and the Harvard University Graduate School of Education Project Zero Team.
This project led and created by Dr Flossie Chua is being piloted in Australia at Christian College and another Independent school in Melbourne. We are indeed privileged and extremely fortunate to have this opportunity.
Recent years have exposed communities to floods, fires, and a pandemic on top of the challenges that families face in our individual circumstances. Transformative Repair encourages school communities to use artistic practice to identify damage – both literal and figurative – and explore how it can be repaired.
The pilot unfolds over three phases, giving schools the flexibility to shape the program to their needs and context:
- Explore – Look at notions of damage and repair by observing and reflecting on the physical environment and the work of artists who engage in transformative repair.
- Transform – Choose a damaged object or structure on which to focus and transform it positively through art. Throughout this process, learners invite and involve the history and perspectives of the broader community.
- Storify – Craft a compelling story of repair that will transform how damage is viewed by others.
We commenced our journey with this pilot having some of our staff participate in the project looking at ways that we might demonstrate and share this concept with our community. As we progress further, we will see opportunities for students and our broader community to experience how they can be inspired to explore new ways of thinking about damage and repair.
I am grateful to Mr Adam Kennedy for leading the team, supported by Ms Dianne Martin, Ms Ingrid Staggard, Mr Tom Hartley, Ms Rebecca Barry, Ms Bec Bromilow, and Ms Rebecca Bartlett for the work and commitment they have made to support the pilot and introduce it to our college.
It was wonderful to receive this feedback from Flossie, ‘You have such a fabulous team Glen, and I’m really privileged to be able to work with your teachers and you!’
Please view the short video below that introduces the pilot.
The CCG Way
For some time, I have been considering the important narrative that underpins our identity and purpose to help us all to have a stronger grasp of who we are and what we are seeking to do together.
Our College motto and hymn ‘Seek ye First the Kingdom of God', inspired by the scripture from Matthew 6:33 ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God has been explored in this edition of Vine for us by our new Dean of Christian Culture Mia Kafieris.
Our College Hymn and motto guide and direct us to the practical ways we live and conduct ourselves. Reminding us of the way that through seeking God first in our lives we can see the examples of the life we should seek to live.
In a school setting this underpins our philosophical statement that provides the filter that we process our decision-making, policies and actions through. We live these out in the way that we behave, treat others, involve ourselves in College life and community. In practical terms for our students demonstrate this when they respectfully wear the wardrobe, through the respect that they show toward their peers and teachers, how the engage in class and the application they dedicate to manage their own learning.
I look forward to further expansion and dialogue about the CCG way throughout this year. as we further understand and appreciate the CCG way notion, we can gain clarity and support to guide us on how we can work together to see our community flourish under the beacon of God’s light.
Caring and Growing Together
It is my desire to see our students and staff having a shared focus upon care and growth throughout this coming year. The staff have continued to be encouraged to work and dedicate themselves in their practice to set goals and pursue opportunities for professional growth. In 2023 we plan to expand the Professional Growth Program to see increased involvement and participation that assist and supports staff to grow in their capacity to plan, provide deliver the very best programs for our students.
Equally, we aim to see advancement of the well-being and pastoral framework that we have developed under the guidance and direction of the newly appointed Director of Well-being Kim Doherty. The action plans outlined in the framework will progress following this significant appointment. The overall aim to see flourishing for our community.
An Excellent Start
This week I have had the pleasure to visit most of our sites and campuses. I am delighted with how settled, engaged and happy each one has felt as I visited classrooms, staffrooms, offices, libraries and sandpits to see everyone from our youngest in the Early Learning Centres to my colleagues who have served our college over many years each looking refreshed and energised for the year ahead. I certainly have sensed an air of excitement and joy.
It is pleasing that we have a full complement of staff to provide a full program for students from day one. Last year I was asked to work with the Federal Minister for Education, The Hon. Jason Clare’s taskforce work group to address the ‘Teacher Crisis’ that our country is currently facing. The result of this work has been a National Teacher Workforce Action Plan (The Plan). The Plan has been established to be implemented in all states and territories and this will become a standing item at all Education Ministers’ Meetings over the next few years.
The Plan has been released. It outlines 27 actions, some immediate and others that will be medium and long term, in five priority areas.
- Improving teacher supply
- Strengthening initial teacher education
- Keeping the teachers we have
- Elevating the profession
- Better understanding future teacher workforce needs
We are blessed to have the dedicated and talented teachers that are called to serve at Christian College. We are truly thankful that our students are cared for and nurtured and guided in their learning by all the incredible staff both teaching and the professional support staff who provide vital support that makes our College operate so smoothly.
I encourage our families to find small ways to express gratitude and kindness to our staff to encourage them throughout 2013 and shown appreciation for all that they do.
A focus on Kindness
My encouragement at the Commencement Assemblies focused on the theme of ‘kindness’. I had the joy to share the beautiful picture book ‘Kindness Grows’ written by Britta Teckentrup.
The story contrasts the potential we each have to create darkness, division and hurt or light, unity and flourishing through our behaviour and how kindness grows from a simple smile to make a positive difference for others.
As I think about our world, nation and our community I can’t think of anything better to focus on in 2023.
I warmly welcome everyone to the new year at Christian College Geelong (CCG) and I look forward to sharing the year ahead filled with kindness as we ‘Seek ye First the Kingdom of God.’
Seeking First the Kingdom of God
A warm welcome to our 2023 students, staff and families! We are all privileged to begin a new year together seeking God and God’s Kingdom in our learning community.
Having recently been appointed to the role of Dean of Christian Culture I have been in the unique position this week to visit our campuses attending commencement services and participating in the beginning of onsite learning for 2023.
Each of our five campuses, in addition to our College Farm, Arts and Technology Center, Uniform Shop and Café have slightly different cultural expressions of our Christian College identity yet all have been established and are moving forward on our foundational scripture from Matthew 6:33 “Seek Ye Frist the Kingdom of God”.
The Kingdom of God is a biblical term Jesus used to describe the environment people create and find themselves in when they choose to behave in ways that represent God’s character. Often thought of as a reference to Heaven or life after death, the Kingdom of God has at times been a slippery concept to understand and apply. Reading the gospels closely we can see that this Kingdom Jesus speaks of is highly relational and an intentional contrast with the Roman Empire which was the prevailing kingdom and ruling power during the lifetime of Jesus Christ. Where someone living in the Roman Empire experienced their environment to be led by the most powerful and often violent people, Jesus, by the way he treated others ushers in a new Kingdom, an environment where people are led by those most empowering and integritous. Caesar disempowered those in his empire to make himself more powerful, Jesus disempowered himself to serve and empower his people. This one contrast makes for a very different Kingdom. In the same way that in the Roman Empire human beings were worth very little, expendable, often dying or being killed to ensure Caesar’s continuation, in the Kingdom of God human beings are highly valuable, so valuable Jesus would live and die for them to ensure the continuation of his relationship with them, not over them.
There are many other contrasts between the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms humanity has historically created. All of these contrasts come down to how people are regarded. In the Kingdom of God people are not products to be used, a person’s worth is not measured by their productivity, nor their potential measured by their performance. In the Kingdom of God, a person’s confidence is not controlling but contagious – empowering everyone to grow into their best selves. In the Kingdom of God there exists a ‘we’ mentality, where all people are recognised as being made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and therefore of equal value. Galatians 3:28 reminds us, “there is neither slave nor free, Greek nor Jew, male nor female, for all are one in Christ Jesus” In the Kingdom of God our differences are dignified not despised. Creation is not a resource to be used or dominated but a gift to be stewarded and cared for. Successes are measured not in the amassing of wealth or status over another but in the celebrating of diversity among others. Validation does not come through achievement, possessions, career or homeowning but through self-awareness and self-knowledge which promotes honesty and wholeness. People do not exist as entitled individuals but as people who are engaging and individuated from one another – meaning, it’s okay for me to be me and for you to be you. Forgiveness and grace are practised not as free passes without consequences but are extensions of merit and favour towards an increase of a person’s ability to be responsible and accountable for who they are. Weakness is not shameful but an expected component of what it means to be human and is looked on tenderly.
Jesus brings this Kingdom of God about on Earth by treating people in these ways that are loving, respectful, unselfish, mutually edifying and authentically honest.
The Kingdom of God exists in a paradox of now and not yet. ‘Now’ because some people are choosing to live towards each other like this, ‘not yet’ because not everyone chooses to live like this and so we have to hold the resulting tension. The hope of the Kingdom is that by living in the company of those who choose to live according to God’s character that others will become enculturated to treat people the way God does too. Just like picking up the accent or tastes in music and food when you live in a foreign country for a while – the same is true for people who encounter those already seeking the Kingdom of God in the way they treat others.
The Kingdom of God is a kingdom I would like to live in. A kingdom I want to seek out and be part of establishing for others. I want to choose to do this everyday by moving out of the kingdom my fears, insecurities and culture of dominance creates in and between me and other people. Instead, I want to daily move into the Kingdom of God that is created and established by my choices to love, honour and serve others as Jesus did.
This is the Kingdom of God Christian College exists to seek and to teach our students to seek also. I will seek this Kingdom for you this year in my choices, behaviour and character. I hope you will both seek it with me and for each other as we live, work, learn and play together.
Welcome Back!
It was such a joy on Tuesday to see our students return happy, and full of excitement as they reconnected with each other and their teachers.
Our new Preps looked so grown up as they arrived at school in their new school uniforms carrying their school bags. The smiles on their faces and the squeals of joy when they saw their friends said it all.
As well as welcoming our new Preps another huge milestone also happened at our campus this week. On Tuesday we welcomed our first class of Year 5 students as we now begin our Surf Coast Middle School. The students arrived dressed in their blazers and were ready to begin this new chapter in their educational journey.
2023 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for our Surf Coast Campus and there is much to celebrate and be thankful for. This year we welcome 57 new students to our campus, and we look forward to getting to know them and their families. Over the holidays a new music classroom and Camp Australia building arrived and was ready for the children to begin classes in this week. Very soon we will begin our next building project, a new administration building, two new classrooms and an indoor basketball and netball arena will be built throughout 2023.
This year we also welcome new staff members to the Surf Coast family.
Mrs Nereda Welsh – Prep
Miss Sarah Minge – Year 1
Mr Geoff Trevaskis – Year 4
Miss Bridget Blackburn – Year 5 Science
Miss Jess Bijaksono – Year 5 Indonesian
Mrs Yvonne Walters – Learning Support
Miss Lilly Griffin – Library Assistant
Miss Maggie Johannes – Learning Support
Mrs Justine Brahm – Year 5 Drama
This term we are looking forward to events such as our family picnic, the very first College House Surf and Sand Carnival, excursions and the other activities we have planned.
Our children will be taking part in many opportunities this term that will enhance their learning while giving them a chance to develop relationships with their peers and teachers.
We look forward to caring for and supporting your children this year as we continue this journey together.
Ready, Set, Go for Digital Learning in 2023
Year 4, 7 and 10 Device Rollouts
It has been a busy time this week as students in Years 4, 7 and 10 across our campuses have collected their new learning devices and have been supported to set them up and sign-in ready for classes. It has been wonderful to witness the students’ enthusiasm and delight as they have been supported with this process, beginning to build familiarity with their new laptop and with the College’s expectations for its use for learning.
Students in Year 4 at each of our Junior School campuses will now keep their learning devices at school for a brief time as they continue to be supported by their teachers to learn how best to care for their device, and to use it confidently and safely as a learning tool.
Upcoming Year 4 Device Parent Information Evenings
Each Junior School campus will be inviting parents of Year 4 students to an information evening that will occur in the next few weeks. Further details about the evening on each campus will be shared soon if it has not already been communicated.
These evenings are an opportunity for parents to learn about the College device program and how the laptops will be used to support learning. Importantly, a key focus will be on how the College can support and empower parents for when devices start to come home as a part of our Cyber Safe Schools Program.
Year 4 students will be able to begin bringing their laptop home following these parent evenings.
Reminder: 2023 Digital Learning and Device Policy Agreement
Recently all College families received an EdSmart communication via email that included a link to our 2023 Digital Learning and Device Policy Agreement document. It is essential that parents review this information and complete their parent agreement by Friday, 10th February.
Similarly, students in Years 4-12, as participants in our 1:1 device program, are exploring the College’s expectations for digital learning and smart, safe, responsible uses of technology. These students will complete their version of the annual agreement over the next week.
It is important that both parent and student agreements are completed to ensure continued access to the College’s device program, digital technologies, and internet.
2023 Device Program Parent Resources
Parents are invited to access and explore our Device Program Parent Resources, available via this document link which has a QR code and short link to easily access the resources in their folder.
Microsoft Teams for Year 4-12 Classes
Classes in Years 4-12 are beginning to make use of their Microsoft Teams digital learning space to support digital aspects of learning. This includes the sharing of key resources, engagement in digital learning activities and collaboration, and the completion of Teams Assignments in many contexts.
Students have access to engage efficiently, meaningfully and collaboratively while building their digital literacy competencies, in an environment that provides rich accessibility features to support all learners.
Parents wanting to be aware and equipped to support their child at home with using these digital tools to support their learning are encouraged to begin with a visit to our Digital Learning Support Hub.
I’m excited about the year ahead and the prospect it holds for our students’ continued growth in Positive Digital Engagement and their digital competencies, within the context of our range of learning programs.
Superstar Surf Coast Preps!
With their shiny new school shoes, brand new school bags and lunch boxes filled to the brim, the brand-new Surf Coast Preppies successfully completed their first week of school.
There was lots of great learning that happened throughout the week and many new friendships formed.
In Integrated Studies, the Preps were introduced to their five senses through a provocation. They explored the use of their senses through a hands-on learning experience.
In Literacy, the Preps focused on their name. They were able to explain how many letters there are, which order they belong in, and practised properly forming their letters using the correct pencil grip.
In Maths, the Preps loved counting all the way to 20 and enjoyed showing conservation of number by making number collages.
The week was filled with pure joy and excitement and many great memories were made.
What an incredible first week of school our new preps have completed. We are so proud of them all and are so impressed with how well they have settled into the school routine.
Making our Very own Rain Gauge
What an amazing start to the year! The Year 1 cohort has hit the ground running in their learning and have loved getting hands-on and learning new things. This term, as part of our Integrated Studies, we are learning all about weather and how it changes the environment around us. So we decided to create our very own rain gauges to track how much rain we get at our campus. We are excited to see how much it rains throughout Term 1 and the changes that we see. This will link nicely to our beach observation sessions and how the elements change the environment down there 😊
Our New Surf Coast Year 2s
We have had a wonderful start to 2023 in Year 2. The students have settled in exceptionally well, getting to know our wonderful new classmates and consolidating old friendships. There is a real sense of excitement and joy being together again and the children have shared many stories of special summer holiday experiences. In Writing, they have begun planning a recount of their holiday fun.
It has been a delight working with the Year 2 students as they enthusiastically approached their learning this week. They have been exploring place value in Maths and have been organising the classroom library. Year 2s have been getting used to new classroom routines and have really enjoyed reading the Enid Blyton classic, Famous Five Go to Treasure Island.
We look forward to a great year!
Year 3 – 2023 Here we go!
We have had a wonderful start to 2023 in Year 3. The students have settled into their new classes exceptionally well, getting to know new students and consolidating old friendships. We have enjoyed a sense of excitement and joy to all be together again and the children have had many stories of special holiday experiences with family and friends.
It has been a delight working with the Year 3 students and they have eagerly approached their learning this week with enthusiasm. The Year 3 students have been exploring place value and chance in maths, describing the senses of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching in writing, and they have shared their thoughts and wonders about our class novel, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ in reading lessons. The Year 3 students have been learning about rules in Civics and Citizenship and have collaborated to suggest class rules which encourage each other to be respectful and considerate.
We look forward to the coming weeks with our wonderful Year 3 students.
Surf Coast Campus Year 4 – Our New Junior School Leaders
The students of Year 4T have had a great start to the new academic year. As we settle into our new routines for Year 4 there will be plenty of new things to learn but we’ve got this!
On Orientation Day last year, the students started making their own Art apron and we have already been putting them to good use whenever we get creative. Don’t they look great!
Another highlight to the start of the year for the Year 4s is their new laptops. With the help of Sasha and Mr Vanderkley we set up our computers and have plenty of other things to learn about our new devices.
In the coming weeks we will be discussing the Year 4 leadership program for our Junior School here at the Surf Coast Campus. We will also be starting our first Integrated Studies unit and spending some time in the school garden developing our green thumbs!
Middle School arrives at Surf Coast!
It was a very special moment on Tuesday morning to watch our very first Middle School students arrive at our campus.
They looked simply amazing in their uniforms which now include blazers. Watching their excitement and enthusiasm starting the school year was something that I will remember for a very long time.
This is a very special moment in time for our ever-growing campus. The transition from Junior School to Middle School has been seamless for those students who were here last year. They have spent the week getting back into the groove of school, reconnecting with old friends and making new friends. We have eight new students in Year 5 this year, it has been fabulous to get to watch 5T become a close-knit group already. These will be friendships that will continue to deepen and grow throughout their Middle School journey.
What a wonderful opportunity to have our Year 5 Students appear in our local Surf Coast Times Newspaper. Click on this link to see the story.
JLTAV State-wide Japanese Calligraphy Contest
Late term 4 last year, the students in Surf Coast had an opportunity to experience a unique cultural art form, Shodo (Japanese calligraphy). After having learnt how to move Japanese brushes for each stroke, the students practised to perfectly draw the word ‘日本(Japan)’ and ‘ 月見(moon viewing)‘ in kanji.
Six students’ calligraphy work was selected from our campus and was entered in JLTAV State-wide Japanese Calligraphy Contest. Among them, Mackenzie Fitzgerald won the first prize and Daxton Ferguson won the second prize in the Year 3 and 4 category. Toby Davis won the second prize in the Year 1 and 2 category.
Not only the prize winners but all the participants demonstrated their ability to concentrate on the task to create a Japanese artwork in a calm manner. Please congratulate them on their great effort and achievements.
Makenzie Fitzgerald First Prize winner in the Year 3/4 category
Daxton Ferguson Second Prize winner in the Year 3/4 category
Toby Davis Second Prize winner in the Year 1/2 category
Avery Bowyer Certificate of Participation
Thomas Burnell Certificate of Participation
Ava Rice Certificate of Participation
The Surf Coast Choir
We are pleased to announce Surf Coast Choir rehearsals will commence in Week 2. Our weekly rehearsals are held in the Multipurpose Room on Wednesdays, 8.15-8.45am for all students from Years 1 to 5.
Prep students will be invited to join us as of Term 2.
In Term 2, we are looking to separate our Choir into 2 – a lower primary and an upper primary group, to best suit the development needs of our singers. More information to follow.
New members are always welcome throughout the school year. Please feel free to email me if your child would like to join: [email protected]. There are no audition requirements and no costs involved.
The College Choral Program extends from Prep to Year 12, with choirs at every campus. The choirs participate in regular performance opportunities including formal school services and events, assemblies, ANZAC Day, Easter and Christmas services, as well as Music Evenings and other events throughout the year.
Mr Brad Treloar accompanies our Choir, and I conduct. Mr Geoff Trevaskis from Year 4 is also very excited to assist the group this year. It is a terrific opportunity for students to participate in a cross year-level setting, making great friends and terrific music! It is also a wonderfully fun way for students to develop their language and motor skills as we incorporate a variety of fun activities and movement in each session.
If your child is unable to attend any rehearsals or performances throughout the year, please notify me in advance via the above email. All queries are welcomed.
Christian College 2023 Snowsports Team
Did you know that Jakara Anthony, the 2022 Winter Olympic Gold Medallist in the Women’s Moguls is an ex-CCG student?
Jakara continues to perform exceptionally well having been on the podium 16 out of the last 18 World Cups and is now the most decorated Australian Winter Olympian in history!
The Victorian Interschool Snowsports Championships are held this year in Mt Buller from the 21st – 27th August with the XC Championships being held on the 6th August.
If your child(ren) have not been involved previously and you would like to find out more about this opportunity, please email me at [email protected]
You can also find out more event details at https://www.interschools.com.au/home/
Notice to All Parents Regarding CSEF Funding
The Victorian State Government runs a program called the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF). As the name suggests, the fund is designed to assist families meet costs associated with school camps, sport and excursions and requires families to apply in each year they have a child who is eligible. Families who have an eligible child will receive $125 per year for a primary aged student and $225 per year for a secondary aged student.
If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. Please complete a 2023 Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) Application Form and return to your campus administration office by the end of Term 1 please.
Please read the attached document for further information.